Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Johnsonville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Johnsonville rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Johnsonville

Johnsonville rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Johnsonville

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Johnsonville

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Johnsonville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

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

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.