Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 must 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in 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 relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Heretaunga rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Heretaunga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Heretaunga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.