Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new 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 evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Roseneath rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Roseneath rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Roseneath

Roseneath rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Roseneath

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need 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, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Roseneath

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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 quality.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Roseneath include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.