Healthy Homes Assessment Lochain

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Lochain rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on 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 important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Lochain, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Lochain rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Lochain rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Lochain Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lochain

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lochain

Lochain rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lochain

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Lochain

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Lochain Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lochain

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Lochain include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lochain for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.