Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Pukahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for 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 found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Pukahu, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Pukahu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Pukahu rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Pukahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pukahu

Pukahu rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pukahu

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pukahu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing 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 Pukahu

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pukahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.