Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order 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 the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on 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 from New Zealand and Homedale, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up 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 unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.