Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Glenside, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Glenside rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Glenside rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Glenside

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glenside

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Glenside

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.