Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Porirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Porirua rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the 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 outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Porirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home 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 waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.