Healthy Homes Assessment Linden

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we 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

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

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Linden, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have 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 minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Linden rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Linden

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements 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 and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Linden

Rental properties in Linden require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require 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 or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Linden

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Linden

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Linden Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Linden include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Linden for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.