Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Glenside 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s 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 work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Glenside, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Glenside rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Glenside Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Glenside

Rental properties in Glenside should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glenside

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Glenside

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.