Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

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 make sure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Petone, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. 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 well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Petone rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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, and Draught stopping within Petone rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Petone

Rental properties in Petone must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Petone

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.