Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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 taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Horokiwi rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 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 well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.