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 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 fully 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 your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Homedale, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Homedale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and 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 to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.