Healthy Homes Assessment St Leonards

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 are required to be fully compliant by 1 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a St Leonards rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and St Leonards, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of St Leonards rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in 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 Control within St Leonards rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping St Leonards

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating St Leonards

Rental properties in St Leonards need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation St Leonards

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation St Leonards

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

St Leonards Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments St Leonards for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.