Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed for 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 so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Longlands, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Longlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Longlands rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Longlands

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Longlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Longlands

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Longlands include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.