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 are now required to ensure their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

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

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Horokiwi

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the home to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 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 what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.