Healthy Homes Assessment Putorino

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Putorino 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified 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 Putorino rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Putorino rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Putorino, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Putorino rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Putorino rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Putorino Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Putorino

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Putorino

Putorino rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the 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 wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Putorino

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Putorino

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs 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 withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Putorino Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Putorino

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Putorino include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Putorino for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.