Healthy Homes Assessment Stokes Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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 Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Stokes Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Stokes Valley, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Stokes Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured 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 set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Stokes Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Stokes Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Stokes Valley

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Stokes Valley

Rental properties in Stokes Valley require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Stokes Valley

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Stokes Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Stokes Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and 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, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Stokes Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Stokes Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.