Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Poraiti rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Poraiti, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Poraiti rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Poraiti Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Poraiti

Poraiti rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Poraiti

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Poraiti

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poraiti

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Poraiti include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.