Healthy Homes Assessment Lochain

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Lochain rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for 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 complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Lochain 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 expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only 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 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Lochain, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Lochain rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Lochain rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Lochain Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lochain

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Lochain

Lochain rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lochain

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lochain

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lochain Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lochain

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Lochain include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lochain for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.