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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Homedale, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Homedale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.