Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order 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 work required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Porirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Property rental areas that are affected by 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 numerous things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.