Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

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 make sure their Parkvale 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, 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 are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Parkvale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Parkvale

Parkvale rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Parkvale

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Parkvale

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists 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 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Parkvale

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Parkvale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.