Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named 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 information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Homedale, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Homedale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in 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 can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Homedale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.