Healthy Homes Assessment Elderslea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Elderslea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Elderslea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Elderslea, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Elderslea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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 for Elderslea rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Elderslea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Elderslea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Elderslea

Elderslea rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Elderslea

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Elderslea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Elderslea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Elderslea

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Elderslea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Elderslea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.