Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease 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.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Porirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Porirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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

See the full 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; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Porirua include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.