Healthy Homes Assessment St Leonards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of St Leonards rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 St Leonards rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a St Leonards Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating St Leonards

Rental properties in St Leonards require a reliable source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation St Leonards

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation St Leonards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

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

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in St Leonards include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.