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 that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment performed on 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?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of 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 heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.