Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

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

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ebdentown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards 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 right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ebdentown

Rental properties in Ebdentown require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Ebdentown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, 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.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns to look over in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.