Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs 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 Stopping in Linden rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances 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 could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Linden

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Linden

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.