Healthy Homes Assessment Poukawa

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 ensure their Poukawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or 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 information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Poukawa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Poukawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Poukawa

Rental properties in Poukawa require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Poukawa

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Poukawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

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

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists 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 Poukawa

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Poukawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. 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?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.