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 must make sure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Horokiwi rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to 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.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist 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 remainder 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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