Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Thorndon rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , 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, as well Draught Control for Thorndon rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. 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 requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard 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 check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.