Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Horokiwi 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct 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 crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Horokiwi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Horokiwi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Horokiwi

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

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have 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 it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.