Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Homedale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.