Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty 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 landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over 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 for Horokiwi rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Horokiwi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

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

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.