Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Silverstream

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 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 replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property 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 ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.