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 are now required to make sure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. 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 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll 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 suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.