Healthy Homes Assessment Poukawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Poukawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding 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 required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Poukawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Poukawa rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Poukawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Poukawa

Poukawa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poukawa

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Poukawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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 Poukawa

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Poukawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.