Healthy Homes Assessment Poukawa

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 ensure that their Poukawa 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much 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 with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Poukawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Poukawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Poukawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t 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 as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Poukawa

Poukawa rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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 least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Poukawa

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Poukawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poukawa

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Poukawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.