Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

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 now have to ensure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, 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 building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Horokiwi rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Horokiwi

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.