Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Parkvale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’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 who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can 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 of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $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 pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Parkvale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

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

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Parkvale

Rental properties in Parkvale should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended 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) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Parkvale

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Parkvale

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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 what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Parkvale include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.