Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Glengarry rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Glengarry rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Glengarry

Glengarry rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glengarry

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Glengarry

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part 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 do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.