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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Homedale, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about getting a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for 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 most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into 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 Homedale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.