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 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 rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end 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 finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Linden, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Linden rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.