Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 must be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation 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 property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Porirua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty 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 sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

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

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. 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 to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.