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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate 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 acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Horokiwi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.