Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Linden, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Linden rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be 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 areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Learn more 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 what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.