Healthy Homes Assessment Stokes Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Stokes Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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 rent from New Zealand and Stokes Valley, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Stokes Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be 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, as well Draught Stopping within Stokes Valley rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Stokes Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Stokes Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Stokes Valley

Rental properties in Stokes Valley need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Stokes Valley

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Stokes Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Stokes Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Stokes Valley

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Stokes Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Stokes Valley for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.