Healthy Homes Assessment Jervoistown

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? Landlords are now required to ensure their Jervoistown 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Jervoistown, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Jervoistown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption 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 the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Jervoistown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Jervoistown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Jervoistown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Jervoistown

Rental properties in Jervoistown require a reliable heating source that can 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Jervoistown

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Jervoistown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

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

Jervoistown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Jervoistown

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Jervoistown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Jervoistown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.