Healthy Homes Assessment Ahuriri

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Ahuriri, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Ahuriri rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Ahuriri rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Ahuriri Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ahuriri

Rental properties in Ahuriri must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ahuriri

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Ahuriri

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ahuriri

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standard in Ahuriri include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.