Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and 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 about any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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 Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Thorndon rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Thorndon rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

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

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.