Healthy Homes Assessment Poraiti

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Poraiti rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Poraiti rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a 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.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Poraiti, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Poraiti rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Poraiti rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poraiti

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Poraiti

Rental properties in Poraiti need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poraiti

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Poraiti

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

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

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Poraiti Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Poraiti

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Poraiti include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poraiti for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.