Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 rentals must be fully 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result 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 ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pukahu, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Pukahu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Pukahu rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Pukahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pukahu

Rental properties in Pukahu must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukahu

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Pukahu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pukahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.