Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Khandallah rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Khandallah rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC 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 and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Khandallah

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands 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 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.