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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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 done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who 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 property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Ebdentown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Ebdentown rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ebdentown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard 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 variety of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.