Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

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 now have to ensure 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 rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Glenside, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Glenside rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Glenside rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Glenside Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Glenside

Rental properties in Glenside need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glenside

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Glenside

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.