Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully 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 tenancy is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can 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 from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in 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 now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Normandale, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Normandale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Normandale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Normandale

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Normandale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 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.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Normandale

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.