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 make sure their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant 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 evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed for a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Homedale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Homedale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that 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 well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values 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 higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Homedale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.