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 now have to ensure that 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description 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 Linden, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements 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 right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Linden

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

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Linden

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.