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 must ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the 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 the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent 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 this 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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