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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Normandale, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Normandale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Normandale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Normandale

Rental properties in Normandale should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended 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), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Normandale

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to 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 with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Normandale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Normandale

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.