Healthy Homes Assessment Roys Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Roys Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is 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 Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Roys Hill, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Roys Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Roys Hill rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Roys Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roys Hill

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Roys Hill

Roys Hill rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Roys Hill

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Roys Hill

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Roys Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roys Hill

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Roys Hill include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roys Hill for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.