Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 from New Zealand and Glengarry, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Glengarry rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Glengarry

Rental properties in Glengarry need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glengarry

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Glengarry

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Glengarry include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.