Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 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. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Khandallah, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Khandallah rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Khandallah

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Khandallah

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.