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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Roseneath rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Roseneath

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Roseneath

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Roseneath include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.