Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can 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 requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. 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 standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Cannons Creek rental properties.

Start now and call about the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.