Healthy Homes Assessment Stokes Valley

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Stokes Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Stokes Valley, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Stokes Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Stokes Valley rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Stokes Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Stokes Valley

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter 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 for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Stokes Valley

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

Insulation Stokes Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 - 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Stokes Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture 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 that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Stokes Valley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Stokes Valley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Stokes Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. 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 topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.