Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Homedale, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of 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, and Draught-stopping in Homedale rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a 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 humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 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 and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update 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 unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside 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 is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove 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 it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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