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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Khandallah rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Khandallah

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher 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 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.