Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is 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 tasks required. requirements to be completed 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 of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate both 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Normandale, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Normandale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Normandale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Normandale

Rental properties in Normandale need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Normandale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists 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 underfloor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.