Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Poraiti rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Poraiti, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Poraiti rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Poraiti rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Poraiti

Rental properties in Poraiti need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient 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 to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Poraiti

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Poraiti

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs 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 withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poraiti

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.