Healthy Homes Assessment Anderson Park

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Anderson Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Anderson Park, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Anderson Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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 on Anderson Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Anderson Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Anderson Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Anderson Park

Rental properties in Anderson Park require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Anderson Park

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Anderson Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Anderson Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Anderson Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Anderson Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Anderson Park for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house 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 being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.