Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Longlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details 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 receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Longlands, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Longlands rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Longlands rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Longlands

Longlands rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Longlands

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Longlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Longlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.