Healthy Homes Assessment Lochain

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Lochain 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Lochain, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Lochain rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Lochain rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lochain

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large 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 the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Lochain

Rental properties in Lochain should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lochain

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy 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 areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lochain

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Lochain Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lochain

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lochain for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.