Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Elderslea, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Elderslea 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 less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Elderslea rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Elderslea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Elderslea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.