Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate 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 for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Khandallah rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance 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 for Khandallah rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements 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 hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Khandallah

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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 rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.