Healthy Homes Assessment Kaiwharawhara

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kaiwharawhara rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have 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 wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kaiwharawhara, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kaiwharawhara rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Kaiwharawhara rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Kaiwharawhara Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kaiwharawhara

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kaiwharawhara

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kaiwharawhara

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kaiwharawhara Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering 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 standard.

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
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kaiwharawhara for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.