Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’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 landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Linden, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Linden rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements 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 into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

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

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

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.