Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished 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 a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Glenside, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Glenside rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Glenside rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the 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 cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Glenside

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need 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 acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes 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 some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glenside

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Glenside

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Glenside include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.