Healthy Homes Assessment Homedale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Homedale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Homedale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in 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 arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Homedale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about having a Homedale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Homedale

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Homedale

Rental properties in Homedale should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your 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 some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Homedale

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Homedale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Homedale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Homedale

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Homedale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.