Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Parkvale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as 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 needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Parkvale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Parkvale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Parkvale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Parkvale

Rental properties in Parkvale should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Parkvale

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Parkvale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new 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 will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of 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 and underfloor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Parkvale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.