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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with 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 ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Khandallah rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less 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, and Draught-stopping within Khandallah rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.