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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Cannons Creek rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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