Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kaiwharawhara 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate 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 any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified 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 on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for 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 effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.