Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

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 Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Heretaunga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Heretaunga

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

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 Heretaunga

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.