Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Silverstream rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps 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 hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how 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.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Silverstream

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation needs 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 the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. 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 numerous concerns to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.