Healthy Homes Assessment Omahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Omahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Omahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Omahu, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Omahu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Omahu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Omahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Omahu

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Omahu

Rental properties in Omahu should have a permanent source of heat that can heat 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 that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Omahu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our 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.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Omahu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher 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 remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Omahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Omahu

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Omahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Omahu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.