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? Landlords now have to make sure that their St Leonards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place 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.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of St Leonards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for St Leonards rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the St Leonards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating St Leonards

Rental properties in St Leonards need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation St Leonards

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation St Leonards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments St Leonards

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in St Leonards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.