Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

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 now have to make sure their Homedale 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in 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 for Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.