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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with 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 Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Homedale, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. 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) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open 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 as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Homedale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.