Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Kotemaori rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Kotemaori rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Kotemaori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kotemaori

Kotemaori rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 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 heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kotemaori

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kotemaori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that 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 a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kotemaori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation 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 sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.