Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Horokiwi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Horokiwi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Horokiwi rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Horokiwi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Horokiwi rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Horokiwi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Horokiwi

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Horokiwi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.