Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Cannons Creek rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.