Healthy Homes Assessment Lochain

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Lochain rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of 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 an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can 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 supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Lochain, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Lochain rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Lochain rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Lochain Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lochain

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught 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 coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up 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 structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Lochain

Rental properties in Lochain need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lochain

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lochain

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Lochain Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lochain

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Lochain include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lochain for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.