Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

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

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease 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 accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of 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 ask us to conduct a house assessment done on 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 So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning 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 can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make 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 are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.