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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply 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 Khandallah, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Khandallah rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Khandallah rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable 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 or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living 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 warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Khandallah

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for 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 measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.