Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information 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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised 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 pocket hard, 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 today and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Homedale, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate 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 out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about 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 rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.