Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

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

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Linden, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Linden rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the 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 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the household to retain 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 it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

Find out all the details about the 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 about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is 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? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.