Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for each of 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 Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place 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 prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.