Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Thorndon, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Thorndon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Thorndon rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon must have a fixed source of heat which 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Thorndon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent 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 Thorndon

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.