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 make sure that their Silverstream rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Silverstream rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on 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 homes in New Zealand and Silverstream, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Silverstream rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Silverstream rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Silverstream Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Silverstream

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Silverstream

Silverstream rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Silverstream

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Silverstream

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

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 the insulation resists 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 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Silverstream Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Silverstream

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Silverstream include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Silverstream for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.