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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Jervoistown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Jervoistown, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Jervoistown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Jervoistown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Jervoistown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Jervoistown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Jervoistown

Rental properties in Jervoistown should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed 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 under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Jervoistown

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Jervoistown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Jervoistown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing 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 Jervoistown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Jervoistown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.