Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Ebdentown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Ebdentown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs 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 or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ebdentown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.