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 ensure that their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Ebdentown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Ebdentown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ebdentown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.