Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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 contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Normandale, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Normandale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Normandale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Normandale

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Normandale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Normandale

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.