Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Cannons Creek rental properties.

Start now and call 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 less temperature in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in 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 healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air 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 are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.