Healthy Homes Assessment Jervoistown

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 must ensure that their Jervoistown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed for a Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Jervoistown, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Jervoistown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Jervoistown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Jervoistown

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Jervoistown

Rental properties in Jervoistown must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Jervoistown

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Jervoistown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Jervoistown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Jervoistown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Jervoistown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.