Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide 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 lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Cannons Creek rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek 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 surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.