Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Pukahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Pukahu, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Pukahu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Pukahu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Pukahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Pukahu

Rental properties in Pukahu require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pukahu

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pukahu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Pukahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.