Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 homes in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Horokiwi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial 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 flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.