Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Parkvale 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Parkvale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Parkvale

Parkvale rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Parkvale

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Parkvale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Parkvale

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Parkvale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.