Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, 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 an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards 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 many things to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.