Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Thorndon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Thorndon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Thorndon

Thorndon rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in 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 if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Thorndon

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.