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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Thorndon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Thorndon rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Thorndon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.