Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need 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 also makes an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.