Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Kotemaori rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Kotemaori rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

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 that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kotemaori

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kotemaori

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Property rental areas that are affected to the 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 many concerns to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.