Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide 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 being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then 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 standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance 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 that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - 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

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.