Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects 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 standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only 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 hearing claims.

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

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Silverstream rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on 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 low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Silverstream

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Silverstream

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.