Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

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

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting 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 an house assessment done on your rental property.

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?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in 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 Draught stopping on Horokiwi rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Horokiwi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• 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, 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.