Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Roseneath rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Roseneath

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Roseneath

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Roseneath include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.