Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Porirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Porirua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Porirua

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

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Porirua

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Porirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a house assessment to see if 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?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.