Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Pukahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Pukahu, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Pukahu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Pukahu

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

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukahu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pukahu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pukahu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.