Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Glenside, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Glenside rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded 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 Glenside rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Glenside Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Glenside

Rental properties in Glenside must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Glenside

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Glenside

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Glenside

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.