Healthy Homes Assessment Horokiwi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Horokiwi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Horokiwi, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Horokiwi rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Horokiwi

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Horokiwi

Rental properties in Horokiwi require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

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 requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Horokiwi

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Horokiwi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Horokiwi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Horokiwi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Horokiwi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.