Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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 on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Petone, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Petone rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Petone

Petone rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Petone

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Petone include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes 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 Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.