Healthy Homes Assessment St Leonards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their St Leonards 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of St Leonards rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in St Leonards rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a St Leonards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating St Leonards

St Leonards rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation St Leonards

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation St Leonards

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your 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 typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments St Leonards

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in St Leonards include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.