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 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 covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Linden, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Linden rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

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

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow 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 is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a 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 well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.