Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

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 are now required to make sure their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 is 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 tasks required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified 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 tenancy is signed for a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false 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 letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Johnsonville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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 Johnsonville rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Johnsonville

Rental properties in Johnsonville need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Johnsonville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Johnsonville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.