Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Homedale 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Homedale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Homedale

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.