Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

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 that their Pukahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into 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 within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pukahu, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

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 health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Pukahu rental properties.

Start now and call about the Pukahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Pukahu

Pukahu rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukahu

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukahu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

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

Pukahu 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 and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.