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? Landlords are now required to 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.