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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Cannons Creek rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

The areas of rental property that are affected through the 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 a variety of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.