Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Glenside, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Glenside rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Glenside

Glenside rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glenside

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Glenside

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

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

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.