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

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order 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 needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Cannons Creek rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

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

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

Find out all the details about the 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 what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.