Healthy Homes Assessment Glenside

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Glenside rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. 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 to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Glenside rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Glenside, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Glenside rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glenside

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

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 required to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Glenside

Glenside rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glenside

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Glenside

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Glenside Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glenside

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Glenside include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glenside for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.