Healthy Homes Assessment Stokes Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Stokes Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Stokes Valley, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Stokes Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and 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 may lead to less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Stokes Valley

Rental properties in Stokes Valley need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the 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 heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Stokes Valley

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Stokes Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Stokes Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Stokes Valley

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 many concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.