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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ahuriri, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Ahuriri rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Ahuriri rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Ahuriri Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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 entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Ahuriri

Ahuriri rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended 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 needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ahuriri

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ahuriri

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ahuriri

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.