Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Elderslea, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Elderslea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Elderslea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Elderslea

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Elderslea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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.

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Elderslea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.