Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on 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 expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Linden, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Linden rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Linden

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.