Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Glenside, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Glenside rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Glenside rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house 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 requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in the 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 houses

Heating Glenside

Glenside rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended 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 requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Glenside

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated 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 aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Glenside

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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 quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

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

Find out all the details of 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.