Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

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 now have to make sure that their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine 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 tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty 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 whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Roseneath rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Roseneath rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Roseneath Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Roseneath

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Roseneath

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Roseneath include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.