Healthy Homes Assessment Ahuriri

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment 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 matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Ahuriri rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Ahuriri rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Ahuriri

Rental properties in Ahuriri should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ahuriri

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed 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 and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Ahuriri

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Ahuriri include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.