Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

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 Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 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. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Petone, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Petone rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack 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 your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Petone

Petone rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Petone

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.