Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

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 make sure that their Poraiti rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a 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 are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Poraiti, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Poraiti rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Poraiti rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Poraiti Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Poraiti

Rental properties in Poraiti must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature 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) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Poraiti

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Poraiti

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poraiti

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Poraiti include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.