Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Thorndon rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

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 movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Thorndon

Thorndon rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep 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 insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.