Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Horokiwi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier 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 liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since 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 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 can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.