Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and offer a 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Poraiti, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Poraiti rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Poraiti rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Poraiti Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Poraiti

Poraiti rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poraiti

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Poraiti

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically 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 water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poraiti

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Poraiti include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.