Healthy Homes Assessment St Leonards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their St Leonards 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding 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 information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of St Leonards rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within St Leonards rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the St Leonards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating St Leonards

St Leonards rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation St Leonards

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation St Leonards

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 St Leonards

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in St Leonards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.