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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Silverstream rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.