Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Kaiwharawhara rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified for each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Rental properties in Kaiwharawhara need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Kaiwharawhara

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Kaiwharawhara include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough 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 the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.