Healthy Homes Assessment Stokes Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and 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 large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Stokes Valley, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Stokes Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Stokes Valley rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Stokes Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Stokes Valley

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Stokes Valley

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Stokes Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Stokes Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Stokes Valley

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Stokes Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Stokes Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.