Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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 tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Silverstream rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a 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.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much 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" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.