Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the 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 isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an 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?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Homedale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal 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 that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.