Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Glenside, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Glenside rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Glenside rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Glenside Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Glenside

Rental properties in Glenside should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glenside

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Glenside

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, 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 a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.