Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

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 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 rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Elderslea, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Elderslea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about the Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Elderslea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.