Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st 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 are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may 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 is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Homedale, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs 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 for Homedale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require 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 in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.