Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Homedale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, 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.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.