Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Glenside, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Glenside rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Glenside rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Glenside Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Glenside

Glenside rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glenside

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Glenside

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs 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 withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.