Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Normandale, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Normandale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Normandale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost 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 sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Normandale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 quality.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Normandale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.