Healthy Homes Assessment Ahuriri

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ahuriri, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Ahuriri rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Ahuriri rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Ahuriri Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Ahuriri

Rental properties in Ahuriri need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ahuriri

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t 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 set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ahuriri

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ahuriri

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Ahuriri include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.