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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kotemaori 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kotemaori rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kotemaori, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Kotemaori rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Kotemaori rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kotemaori

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kotemaori

Rental properties in Kotemaori require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kotemaori

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kotemaori

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kotemaori Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kotemaori

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kotemaori include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kotemaori for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.