Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may 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 live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Glengarry rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Glengarry rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Glengarry

Glengarry rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glengarry

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Glengarry

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Glengarry include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.