Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Glenside, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Glenside rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance 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, as well Draught-stopping on Glenside rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving 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 cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Glenside

Glenside rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glenside

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Glenside

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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

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

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.