Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Heretaunga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Heretaunga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor 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?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.