Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or 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 fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on 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?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system 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. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Horokiwi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an 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 covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.