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 now have to make sure that their Horokiwi 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a 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 being the person leasing the property out and 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Horokiwi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Horokiwi rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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 have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Horokiwi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper 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 water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.