Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting 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 up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Porirua, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

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

The improvement in the standard of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Porirua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Porirua

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Porirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 and underfloor R 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

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

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Porirua include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.