Healthy Homes Assessment Vogeltown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Vogeltown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Vogeltown 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 the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Vogeltown, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely 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 outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Vogeltown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Vogeltown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Vogeltown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Vogeltown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Vogeltown

Rental properties in Vogeltown need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Vogeltown

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The 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.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Vogeltown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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, underfloor 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 standard.

Vogeltown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; 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 comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, 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 block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Vogeltown

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Vogeltown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Vogeltown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.