Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets 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 the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when 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 stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.