Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

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 must ensure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Cannons Creek rental properties.

Start now and call about the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.