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 are now required to make sure that 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 rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during your 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 well-being homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent 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 Cannons Creek

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.