Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement 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 crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Porirua, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Porirua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Porirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed 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 present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Porirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.