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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their St Leonards rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed 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 any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of St Leonards rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within St Leonards rental properties.

Start now and call about the St Leonards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating St Leonards

St Leonards rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation St Leonards

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation St Leonards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments St Leonards

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in St Leonards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water 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 the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.