Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are 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 tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within 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 can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. 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 heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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