Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes 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 not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for 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 work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Silverstream rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the 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 for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Silverstream

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow 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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.