Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Petone, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Petone rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Petone rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Petone

Rental properties in Petone must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Petone

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Petone

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

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

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.