Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Elderslea, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Elderslea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Elderslea rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Elderslea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Elderslea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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