Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home 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 notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Thorndon rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.