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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe 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 hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Ebdentown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ebdentown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.