Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Longlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Longlands, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Longlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Longlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Longlands

Longlands rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Longlands

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Longlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Longlands

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.