Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

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 make sure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Porirua, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Porirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Porirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.