Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Heretaunga rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Heretaunga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.