Healthy Homes Assessment Kotemaori

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Kotemaori rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation 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 from New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Kotemaori rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Kotemaori Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to 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 cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kotemaori

Kotemaori rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kotemaori

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kotemaori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure 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 often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Kotemaori include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.