Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Khandallah rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Khandallah rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Khandallah include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.