Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

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? Landlords now have to ensure that their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Johnsonville rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Johnsonville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Johnsonville

Rental properties in Johnsonville must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Johnsonville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Johnsonville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.