Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs 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.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in 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, as well Draught stopping in Cannons Creek rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.