Healthy Homes Assessment Poukawa

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 make sure their Poukawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Poukawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Poukawa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Poukawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Poukawa

Rental properties in Poukawa need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poukawa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Poukawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands 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 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in 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 standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poukawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Poukawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation 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 has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.