Healthy Homes Assessment Poukawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that 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 meet the obligations 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 up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Poukawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Poukawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Poukawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Poukawa

Rental properties in Poukawa need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most 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 heat needs to remain 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 determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Poukawa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our 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 high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Poukawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poukawa

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Poukawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.