Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Porirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Porirua rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require seals. 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 possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Porirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Property rental areas that are affected with The 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 a myriad of things to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.