Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Pukahu 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Pukahu, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Pukahu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Pukahu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Pukahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pukahu

Pukahu rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukahu

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Pukahu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Pukahu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.