Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also 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 the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent 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 Cannons Creek

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.