Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Parkvale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Parkvale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , 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, as well Draught stopping for Parkvale rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Parkvale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Parkvale

Parkvale rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Parkvale

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Parkvale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Parkvale

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Parkvale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.