Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

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? Landlords now have to ensure their Elderslea 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could 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 amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Elderslea, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Elderslea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Elderslea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Elderslea

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Elderslea

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Elderslea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Elderslea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.