Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person 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 property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kaiwharawhara rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

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

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. 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, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.