Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required 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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to 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 an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of 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 standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.