Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Normandale, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Normandale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Normandale rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having 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 homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

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 necessary to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Normandale

Rental properties in Normandale require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 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 source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like 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 the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Normandale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Normandale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.