Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 assess your rental property 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 about the work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Johnsonville rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also 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 set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Johnsonville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our 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 well-being houses

Heating Johnsonville

Rental properties in Johnsonville need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Johnsonville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Johnsonville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient 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 the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.