Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s 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 only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Khandallah, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Khandallah rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Khandallah rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small 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 include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Khandallah

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

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

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 through The 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 many things to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.