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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Vogeltown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both 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 for a Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Vogeltown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Vogeltown, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Vogeltown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Vogeltown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Vogeltown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Vogeltown

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Vogeltown

Vogeltown rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Vogeltown

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Vogeltown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Vogeltown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Vogeltown

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Vogeltown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Vogeltown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.