Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for 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 tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could 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 meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Thorndon, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Thorndon rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Thorndon rental properties.

Start now and call about the Thorndon Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Thorndon

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Thorndon

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.