Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 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 that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kotemaori rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during 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 to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

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

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kotemaori

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kotemaori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kotemaori include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.