Healthy Homes Assessment Porirua

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? Landlords must make sure that their Porirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Porirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Porirua, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Porirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Porirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Porirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Porirua

Rental properties in Porirua must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Porirua

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Porirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 rest part of 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Porirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Porirua

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Porirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Porirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.