Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification 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 false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with 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 request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Khandallah, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Khandallah rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Khandallah rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Khandallah

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

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

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing 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 Khandallah

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.