Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Longlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 Longlands, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Longlands rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Longlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Longlands

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Longlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; 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 is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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 accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Longlands

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Longlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and 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 sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.