Healthy Homes Assessment Taradale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Taradale 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Taradale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Taradale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy 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 requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Taradale, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Taradale rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Taradale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taradale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Taradale

Taradale rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taradale

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed 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 a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Taradale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taradale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taradale

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Taradale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taradale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

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

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.