Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Petone, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Petone rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Petone rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Petone

Petone rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the 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 heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Petone

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher 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 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Petone

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Petone include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.