Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Horokiwi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Horokiwi rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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 Horokiwi

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.