Healthy Homes Assessment Ahuriri

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Ahuriri, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ahuriri rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Ahuriri rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Ahuriri Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ahuriri

Rental properties in Ahuriri require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested 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 minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ahuriri

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ahuriri

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ahuriri

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Ahuriri include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.