Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the 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.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.