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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Heretaunga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Heretaunga rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Heretaunga

Rental properties in Heretaunga need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Heretaunga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent 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 Heretaunga

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Heretaunga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.