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 ensure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract 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 face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well 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 hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.