Healthy Homes Assessment Anderson Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Anderson Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Anderson Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Anderson Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Anderson Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Anderson Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Anderson Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Anderson Park

Anderson Park rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Anderson Park

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Anderson Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Anderson Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Anderson Park

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Anderson Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Anderson Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.