Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Thorndon, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Thorndon rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Thorndon rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest 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 source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient 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 an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.