Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Silverstream rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Silverstream rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications 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 source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. 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.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.