Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rentals are required to be completely 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation 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 property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Parkvale rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Parkvale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Parkvale

Parkvale rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Parkvale

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Parkvale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of 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 damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent 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 Parkvale

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Parkvale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.