Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Silverstream rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere 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, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.