Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Khandallah rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Khandallah

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Khandallah include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.