Healthy Homes Assessment Ahuriri

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ahuriri, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ahuriri rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Ahuriri rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Ahuriri Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ahuriri

Rental properties in Ahuriri must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 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 source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ahuriri

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ahuriri

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ahuriri

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.