Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord 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 must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements 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 draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.