Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely 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 assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing 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 correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection 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?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Ebdentown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Ebdentown rental properties.

Start now and call about the Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Ebdentown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.