Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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 tenancy is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading 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 which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Khandallah rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Khandallah rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and 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 check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Khandallah

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher 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 part 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

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Khandallah include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.