Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Linden rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Linden

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.