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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’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 not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Homedale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower 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 on Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.