Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware 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 at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Porirua, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Porirua rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent 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 of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.