Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with 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 $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.