Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Poraiti rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for 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 not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date 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 important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Poraiti, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Poraiti rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning 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 as Draught Control in Poraiti rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Poraiti Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Poraiti

Rental properties in Poraiti need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. 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 such as heat pumps, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poraiti

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Poraiti

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 and floor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poraiti

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Poraiti include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.