Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Homedale, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Homedale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Homedale

Homedale rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Homedale

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Homedale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.