Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

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 their Porirua 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding 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 could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as 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 signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Porirua, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Porirua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

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

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Porirua

Porirua rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

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 for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Porirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.