Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve 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 because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of 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, and Draught stopping for Khandallah rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the home to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. 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 many concerns to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.