Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one 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 Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. 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 wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Ebdentown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over 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 in Ebdentown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ebdentown

Rental properties in Ebdentown must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ebdentown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Ebdentown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.