Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Poraiti rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability 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. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Poraiti, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Poraiti rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Poraiti rental properties.

Start now and call about the Poraiti Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Poraiti

Poraiti rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Poraiti

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment 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 hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Poraiti

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 quality.

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poraiti

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Poraiti include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.