Healthy Homes Assessment Khandallah

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading 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 the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Khandallah, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Khandallah rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Khandallah Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Khandallah

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Khandallah

Rental properties in Khandallah need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed 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 are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Khandallah

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up 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 to allow the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Khandallah include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.