Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Glengarry rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Glengarry rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Glengarry

Rental properties in Glengarry require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glengarry

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Glengarry

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, 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 the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including 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 keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Glengarry include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.