Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Thorndon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Thorndon rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a 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 humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

Thorndon rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

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

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Thorndon include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.