Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate 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 are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure 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 often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.