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 must ensure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete 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 any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Homedale, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Homedale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm 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 that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

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

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes 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 the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.