Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 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 to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Ebdentown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Ebdentown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with 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 can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ebdentown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.