Healthy Homes Assessment Poukawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Poukawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Poukawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may 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 property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, 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 who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Poukawa, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Poukawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Poukawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Poukawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Poukawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Poukawa

Poukawa rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion 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 you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Poukawa

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Poukawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Poukawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Poukawa

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Poukawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Poukawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.