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 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Silverstream rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

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

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, 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 are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Silverstream

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.