Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Glengarry rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Glengarry

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Glengarry

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Glengarry

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure 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 the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Glengarry include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.