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 are now required to ensure that their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. 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 under 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Elderslea, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Elderslea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Elderslea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Elderslea

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

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Elderslea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Elderslea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.