Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account 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 request a 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

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 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 heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, 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, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent 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 Kaiwharawhara

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.