Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of 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 wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kotemaori rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Kotemaori rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most 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 likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kotemaori

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Kotemaori

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kotemaori include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.