Healthy Homes Assessment Jervoistown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Jervoistown 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information 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 getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Jervoistown, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Jervoistown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Jervoistown rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Jervoistown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Jervoistown

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Jervoistown

Rental properties in Jervoistown should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Jervoistown

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Jervoistown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Jervoistown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place 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 water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Jervoistown

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Jervoistown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Jervoistown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.