Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable 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 Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Khandallah rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Khandallah rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.