Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

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 are now required to ensure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Silverstream rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Silverstream rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Rental properties in Silverstream require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable 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 pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Silverstream

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.