Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

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 are now required to make sure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Petone, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Petone rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Petone rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Petone

Rental properties in Petone require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Petone

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Petone

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.