Healthy Homes Assessment Normandale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Normandale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Normandale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Normandale, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Normandale rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Normandale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Normandale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Normandale

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Normandale

Normandale rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Normandale

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Normandale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 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 quality.

Normandale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Normandale

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Normandale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Normandale for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.