Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Homedale, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Homedale rental properties.

Start now and call about the Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.