Healthy Homes Assessment St Leonards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their St Leonards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of St Leonards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for St Leonards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating St Leonards

Rental properties in St Leonards need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation St Leonards

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. 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 standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation St Leonards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the household to keep the 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 measure of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 remainder 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.

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments St Leonards

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in St Leonards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.