Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

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 must make sure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. 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 suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Linden rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Linden rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems 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 and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands 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 of 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 standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.