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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all 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 currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which 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 before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kotemaori rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Kotemaori rental properties.

Start now and call about the Kotemaori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kotemaori

Kotemaori rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kotemaori

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kotemaori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist 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 area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kotemaori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.