Healthy Homes Assessment Omahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Omahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Omahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Omahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

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

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Omahu, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Omahu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Omahu rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Omahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Omahu

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Omahu

Rental properties in Omahu should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Omahu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The 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.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Omahu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Omahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 Omahu

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Omahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Omahu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.