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 now have 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess 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 contract is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require 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 safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Silverstream

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. 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 variety of things to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.