Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Parkvale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Parkvale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Parkvale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Parkvale

Rental properties in Parkvale require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Parkvale

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Parkvale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Parkvale

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Parkvale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.