Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Porirua rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Porirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.