Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Khandallah rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Khandallah rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.