Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Ebdentown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in 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 on Ebdentown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Ebdentown

Rental properties in Ebdentown should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Ebdentown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.