Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Silverstream rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Silverstream

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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