Healthy Homes Assessment Jervoistown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Jervoistown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Jervoistown, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Jervoistown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Jervoistown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Jervoistown

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Jervoistown

Jervoistown rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most 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 heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Jervoistown

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Jervoistown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Jervoistown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have 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 place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing 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 Jervoistown

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Jervoistown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Jervoistown for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.