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 make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed for a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Thorndon rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Thorndon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Thorndon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.