Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

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 ensure that their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large 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 request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Kotemaori rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Kotemaori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

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

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. 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), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kotemaori

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle 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 water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Kotemaori

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater 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 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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 standard.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps 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 Kotemaori

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Kotemaori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.