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 of 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for 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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end 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. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Normandale, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Normandale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for 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 Control on Normandale rental properties.

Start now and call about the Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could 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 flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Normandale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain the 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 insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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

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

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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 Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.