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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Poukawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Poukawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less 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-stopping in Poukawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your 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 well-being homes

Heating Poukawa

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poukawa

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Poukawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poukawa

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Poukawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.