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 make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also 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 signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Thorndon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Thorndon rental properties.

Start now and call about the Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Thorndon

Thorndon rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Thorndon

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.