Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Porirua renters and landlords alike can have their rental home peace of mind
Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779
healthy homes assessment fines for non-compliance
Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, 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 correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Porirua rental properties.

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

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How Other People Rate Us

This is a high quality service where they are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I was incredibly impressed by the speed and quality of the inspection and report.
Brendon
An excellent and thorough report! Much appreciated. I’ll definitely be recommending
Callum
Fantastic service, really pleased with how thorough the report was - also impressed that it was able to be done at such short notice. A+
Daniel
What time Do I require to meet requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards?

Porirua Healthy Homes Compliance Timeframes

Tenancies that were signed in the period between July 1st 2019 to the 30th June in 2021

  • Underfloor and ceiling insulation is compulsory to all Porirua and New Zealand rental homes where it’s reasonably practicable to put in.
  • A Healthy Homes Intent to Comply Statement, an Insulation Statement and an Insurance Statement must be included in any renewal, new or altered tenancy contract.
  • Property managers and landlords have to keep records that demonstrate the conformance to each Healthy Homes Standard that apply or will be applied to an apartment rental.

Starting 1 July 2021

  • Property managers and private landlords are required to ensure their rental properties conform in accordance with Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new, renewed , or altered tenancy.
  • All boarding households (except Kainga Ora and registered Community Housing Provider for boarding home tenancies) are required to comply with Healthy Homes Standard regardless of when the tenancy began.

Beginning 1 July 2023

  • All households that are rented out through Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must be in compliance with the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy first began.

Starting 1 July 2024

  • All rentals homes have to meet the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of the date when the tenancy started.
Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of the rental property should 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 should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

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A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Porirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might 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 it will make much easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

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

  • Living Room
  • Bedrooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

  • Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
  • Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
  • Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
  • Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
  • Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.

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Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua Wellington 5024

Reasons People Choose Us
About Us &

What We Do

As building inspectors, we deal with all the elements of specialist house Inspections. We are here to make sure you make the best choice when it comes to purchasing your next property.

We take your investment seriously We conduct comprehensive inspections so you won’t be faced with any costly or unexpected expenses, which means you can relax and focus on the fun aspects of owning or purchasing the home.

We specialise in a range of solutions to ensure you are completely aware of the state of any property you might be considering buying or selling as well as additional services.

We do not just cooperate with you, we also work with large clients including the local authorities, banks, and insurance firms. Evidently they enjoy the peace of mind provided, because of the information contained in our building inspection reports.

We have a systematic approach to inspecting your property and the latest software technology that incorporates digital images into the report, you can actually see any issues found. With our detailed reporting it is no wonder we receive so many referrals from clients our service to family members and acquaintances.

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Comprehensive Home Assessments

  • Pre Purchase & Pre Sale Reports
  • Building Condition Reports
  • Healthy Homes Assessments
  • General Consultancy
  • Handover Reports
  • Asbestos Compliance
  • Mould Inspection
  • Dilapidation Reports
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