Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

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 must ensure that their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Linden, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Linden rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Linden rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need 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 adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.