Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Glengarry rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information 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 not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even 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 bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Glengarry rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Glengarry rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Glengarry Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Glengarry

Rental properties in Glengarry require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Glengarry

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Glengarry

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

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

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

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Glengarry

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Glengarry include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.