Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Heretaunga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Heretaunga rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Heretaunga

Rental properties in Heretaunga need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Heretaunga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (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 the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.