Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Horokiwi rental properties.

Start now and call about the Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.