Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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, and Draught stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.