Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.