Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

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? Landlords are now required to make sure their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 will evaluate 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 that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could 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 pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Roseneath rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Roseneath rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Roseneath Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Roseneath

Roseneath rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Roseneath

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Roseneath

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Roseneath include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.