Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Silverstream rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most 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 heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Silverstream

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Silverstream

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.