Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

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 now have to ensure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.