Healthy Homes Assessment Anderson Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Anderson Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Anderson Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Anderson Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Anderson Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Anderson Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Anderson Park

Anderson Park rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Anderson Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Anderson Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Anderson Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Anderson Park

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Anderson Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Anderson Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.