Healthy Homes Assessment Silverstream

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Silverstream rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Silverstream rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Silverstream

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Silverstream

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up 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 in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.