Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

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 must ensure their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Normandale, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Normandale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Normandale rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped 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 structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Normandale

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Normandale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Normandale

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.