Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

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 now have to make sure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Homedale, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Homedale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. 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 requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values 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 greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards 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 concerns to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.