Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Horokiwi rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

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

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, 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 and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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