Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes 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 violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Normandale, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Normandale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Normandale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Normandale

Rental properties in Normandale need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, 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 your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Normandale

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Normandale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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