Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Heretaunga rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Heretaunga rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs 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 hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Heretaunga

Rental properties in Heretaunga must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Heretaunga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Heretaunga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.