Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended 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 property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Khandallah rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Khandallah rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Khandallah

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.