Healthy Homes Assessment Putorino

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 now have to ensure that their Putorino rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Putorino rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Putorino, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Putorino rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Putorino Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Putorino

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Putorino

Rental properties in Putorino require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Putorino

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Putorino

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, 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 North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Putorino Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Putorino

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Putorino include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Putorino for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.