Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most 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.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Normandale, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Normandale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Normandale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), 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 your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

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 must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of 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 it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.