Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

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

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Petone, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Petone rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Petone rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Petone

Petone rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most 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 heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Petone

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.