Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 compliant 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 will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Thorndon rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Thorndon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.