Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Homedale 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property 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 tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Homedale, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Homedale rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Homedale

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Homedale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the home to retain heat.

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

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

Check out the complete details of the 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; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.