Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Johnsonville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means 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 as Draught Stopping within Johnsonville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Johnsonville

Rental properties in Johnsonville should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Johnsonville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Johnsonville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.