Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kotemaori rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Kotemaori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all 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 important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kotemaori

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kotemaori

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kotemaori include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.