Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Pukahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Pukahu, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Pukahu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Pukahu rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Pukahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pukahu

Pukahu rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be 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 can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukahu

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukahu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the home to hold heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pukahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.