Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be 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 property, we are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 tenancy is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ebdentown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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 getting a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ebdentown

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ebdentown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Ebdentown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.