Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Heretaunga rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Heretaunga rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Heretaunga

Rental properties in Heretaunga require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Heretaunga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.