Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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 items must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Homedale rental properties.

Start now and call about the Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Homedale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.