Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Porirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Porirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.