Healthy Homes Assessment Pukahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pukahu 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Pukahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Pukahu, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Pukahu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Pukahu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukahu

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Pukahu

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

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pukahu

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pukahu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Pukahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukahu

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Pukahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukahu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.