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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

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

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

Start now and call about getting a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need 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 structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Linden

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Linden

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.