Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Johnsonville rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Johnsonville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Johnsonville

Johnsonville rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Johnsonville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop 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.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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