Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must 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 rental properties 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Porirua, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

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

Enhancing the quality of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance 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, as well as Draught Stopping within Porirua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Porirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is 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 flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Porirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.