Healthy Homes Assessment Petone

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Petone rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Petone rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

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

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Petone, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Petone rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Petone rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Petone Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Petone

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Petone

Petone rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Petone

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Petone

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Petone Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an 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 the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Petone

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Petone include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Petone for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.