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? Landlords now have to ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required 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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. 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 needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

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

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.