Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete 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 any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on 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 Normandale, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Normandale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Normandale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught 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. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Normandale

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Normandale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Normandale

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.