Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Horokiwi rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Horokiwi rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion 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 electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented 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 with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful 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 guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.