Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Glengarry rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Glengarry rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Glengarry

Glengarry rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glengarry

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Glengarry

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Glengarry

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.