Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Khandallah rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Khandallah rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Khandallah

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about 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 about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Standard in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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