Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Parkvale, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Parkvale rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Parkvale rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Parkvale

Rental properties in Parkvale must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. 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) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Parkvale

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Parkvale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Parkvale

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Parkvale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.