Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may 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 building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Thorndon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to 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 of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Thorndon

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Thorndon include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.