Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Longlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Longlands, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Longlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Longlands rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Longlands

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Longlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the 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

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

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Longlands

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Longlands include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.