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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed 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 any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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 from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within 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 may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 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 and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture 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, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.