Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Thorndon rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Thorndon rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Thorndon

Thorndon rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.