Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

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? Landlords must ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an 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

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.