Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-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 are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.