Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement 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 is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.