Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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 for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Linden rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Linden rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated 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 hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Linden

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.