Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Glengarry rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected 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 requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Glengarry rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is 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 within your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Glengarry

Rental properties in Glengarry must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glengarry

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented 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 in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Glengarry

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Glengarry include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.