Healthy Homes Assessment Jervoistown

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’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 found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Jervoistown, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Jervoistown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Jervoistown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Jervoistown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Jervoistown

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in an 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 well-being houses

Heating Jervoistown

Jervoistown rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Jervoistown

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Jervoistown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater 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 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Jervoistown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Jervoistown

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Jervoistown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Jervoistown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.