Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included 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 are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard 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 damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Ebdentown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

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 can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ebdentown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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 quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.