Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and 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 the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with 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 a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Roseneath rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Roseneath rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Roseneath Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Roseneath

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Roseneath

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Roseneath include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.