Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Linden rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Linden, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Linden

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.