Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Linden, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Linden rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Linden rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Linden

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. 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 the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.