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? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement 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 fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved 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 hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces 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 standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.