Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

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

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 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 underfloor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.