Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Elderslea, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Elderslea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Elderslea rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Elderslea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Elderslea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.