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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kotemaori rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Kotemaori rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Kotemaori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most 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 outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kotemaori

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kotemaori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kotemaori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.