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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 rentals are required to be fully compliant 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for 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 relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Porirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Porirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards 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 with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.