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? Landlords must make sure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 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. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Ebdentown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Ebdentown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can 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 requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ebdentown

Rental properties in Ebdentown should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Ebdentown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.