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 ensure their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Silverstream rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in 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 Draught Stopping within Silverstream rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of 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 in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Silverstream include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a home review 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 sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including 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 Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.