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 now have to make sure that their Khandallah rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Khandallah rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $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 agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Khandallah, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Khandallah rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance 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 as Draught Control for 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 dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine 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.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Khandallah

Khandallah rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Khandallah

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Khandallah

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Khandallah Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Khandallah

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Khandallah for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.