Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

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 must ensure their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 and determine 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 of any work which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Porirua rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould 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, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Porirua rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The 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. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Porirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Porirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.