Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of 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

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 work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Ebdentown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Ebdentown rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on 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 heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ebdentown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure 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 rest part 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 standard.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ebdentown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.