Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Petone, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Petone rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Petone rental properties.

Start now and call about the Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Petone

Rental properties in Petone require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Petone

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and 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 prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.