Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

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 make sure their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Roseneath rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Roseneath rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Roseneath Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. 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 heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Roseneath

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough 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 dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Roseneath

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Roseneath include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space 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 sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.