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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet 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 make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in 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 for Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

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

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.