Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Ebdentown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Ebdentown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Ebdentown

Ebdentown rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ebdentown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.