Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is 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 rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. 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 Kaiwharawhara

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.