Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

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 must make sure their Linden 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Linden rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Linden rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs 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 measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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