Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess 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 on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a 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 inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is 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 entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of our 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 for well-being homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties need to have a stable source of heating 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 minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy 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" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the entire 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

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.