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 that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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.

Failure to adhere to 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. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Porirua, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Porirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended 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 least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent 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 acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Porirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. 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 many concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.