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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Pukahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply 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 from New Zealand and Pukahu, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Pukahu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Pukahu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pukahu

Rental properties in Pukahu require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended 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), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pukahu

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pukahu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the home to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Pukahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.