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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for both 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Linden rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Linden rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in 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 Draught-stopping in Linden rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Linden Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Linden

Linden rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Linden

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Linden

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.