Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Longlands 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified 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.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Longlands, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Longlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Longlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need 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 inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Longlands

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of 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 do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Longlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent 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 Longlands

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Longlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.