Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside 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 the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Linden rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Linden rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the 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

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

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.