Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued 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 who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

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

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Linden, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Linden rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Linden rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during 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 heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether 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 moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.