Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands 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 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.