Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

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 are now required to ensure their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Elderslea, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Elderslea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Elderslea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Elderslea

Rental properties in Elderslea require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Elderslea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. 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 be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.