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 now have to make sure 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete 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 not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Longlands, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Longlands rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Longlands rental properties.

Start now and call about having 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 is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Longlands

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Longlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Longlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.