Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Thorndon 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Thorndon rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile 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 requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.