Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Silverstream rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Silverstream

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Silverstream

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Silverstream include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.