Healthy Homes Assessment Vogeltown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Vogeltown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Vogeltown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Vogeltown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Vogeltown rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Vogeltown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Vogeltown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Vogeltown

Rental properties in Vogeltown must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Vogeltown

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Vogeltown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Vogeltown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps 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 Vogeltown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Vogeltown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Vogeltown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation 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 home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.