Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Linden rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, 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 require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Linden

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Linden

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. 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 Linden

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.