Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Kaiwharawhara 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 by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of 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 may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household 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 an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.