Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

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 Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Linden, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Linden rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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 for Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them 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 of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Linden

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists 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 remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.