Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Normandale, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Normandale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about having a Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Normandale

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Normandale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Normandale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.