Healthy Homes Assessment Roseneath

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Roseneath rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Roseneath rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and 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 requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Roseneath, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Roseneath rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less 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 Roseneath rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Roseneath Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roseneath

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Roseneath

Rental properties in Roseneath need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Roseneath

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Roseneath

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Roseneath Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roseneath

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Roseneath include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roseneath for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.