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 make sure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required 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 any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $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.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Linden, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Linden

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.