Healthy Homes Assessment St Leonards

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 are now required 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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of St Leonards rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for St Leonards rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a St Leonards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating St Leonards

Rental properties in St Leonards must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat 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 for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation St Leonards

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation St Leonards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

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

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments St Leonards

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in St Leonards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.