Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Heretaunga rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

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

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Heretaunga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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

Find out all the details about the 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.