Healthy Homes Assessment Putorino

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Putorino 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 by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Putorino, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Putorino rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Putorino rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Putorino

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Putorino

Rental properties in Putorino must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Putorino

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Putorino

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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

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

Putorino Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected 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 for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Putorino

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Putorino include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Putorino for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.