Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that 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 to comply with 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.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on 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 Roseneath, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Roseneath rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Roseneath rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Roseneath Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable 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 that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked 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 building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Roseneath

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Roseneath

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Roseneath include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.