Healthy Homes Assessment Ebdentown

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 now have to ensure that their Ebdentown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Ebdentown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Ebdentown, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Ebdentown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Ebdentown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Ebdentown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ebdentown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Ebdentown

Rental properties in Ebdentown require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ebdentown

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Ebdentown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Ebdentown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ebdentown

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Ebdentown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ebdentown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.