Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

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 make sure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess 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 for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Horokiwi rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Horokiwi rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Horokiwi

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.