Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Horokiwi rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Horokiwi rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Horokiwi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home 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 a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.