Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 of the work which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements 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 following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the 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 building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to make sure 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.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, 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 do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.