Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Silverstream rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Silverstream

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.