Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

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 Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect 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 agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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 stopping on Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and 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 or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued 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 offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.