Healthy Homes Assessment Stokes Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Stokes Valley 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on 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 Stokes Valley, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Stokes Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Stokes Valley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Stokes Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Stokes Valley

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Stokes Valley

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Stokes Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand 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 – The rest part of 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Stokes Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Stokes Valley

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Stokes Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Stokes Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.