Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate each of 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement 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, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Linden, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Linden

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect 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 the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. 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 Linden

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.