Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Petone, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Petone rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Petone rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Petone

Rental properties in Petone need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Petone

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Petone

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to 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 Standard in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.