Healthy Homes Assessment Ahuriri

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Ahuriri rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Ahuriri rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person 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 landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Ahuriri, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Ahuriri rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education 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 run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Ahuriri rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ahuriri

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that 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 out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Ahuriri

Rental properties in Ahuriri need to have a stable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most 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 needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ahuriri

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Ahuriri

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ahuriri Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place 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 an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ahuriri

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Ahuriri include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ahuriri for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.