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 are now required to ensure their Poukawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Poukawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Poukawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Poukawa

Poukawa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Poukawa

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Poukawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Poukawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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