Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the 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 such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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 gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.