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 now have to ensure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with 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 connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $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 whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply 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 from New Zealand and Linden, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Linden rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance 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 Draught Control in Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Linden

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

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Linden

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.