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 now have to ensure 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Homedale rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.