Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it 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 agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Homedale, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Homedale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including 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 the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.