Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Khandallah 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Khandallah rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Khandallah rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Khandallah

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.