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 that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Homedale, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Homedale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Homedale

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate 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 to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

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
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.