Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for 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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 Elderslea, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Elderslea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less 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 as Draught Stopping within Elderslea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Elderslea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Elderslea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.