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 must make sure that their Vogeltown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, 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 property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Vogeltown, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Vogeltown 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 illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Vogeltown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Vogeltown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Vogeltown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Vogeltown

Rental properties in Vogeltown require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Vogeltown

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is 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 considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Vogeltown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Vogeltown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Vogeltown

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Vogeltown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Vogeltown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.