Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

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? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Khandallah rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Khandallah rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Khandallah include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.