Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess 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 of any work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 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.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Thorndon rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Thorndon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Thorndon

Thorndon rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.