Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Thorndon, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Thorndon rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Thorndon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to 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 often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.