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 are now required to ensure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which 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 violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Porirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less 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, as well Draught stopping for Porirua rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Porirua

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Porirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Porirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think 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 house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.