Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for each of 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 have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality 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 illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation 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 standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Silverstream

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.