Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during 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 well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.