Healthy Homes Assessment Glengarry

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Glengarry rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Glengarry, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Glengarry rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Glengarry rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Glengarry

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during the 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

Glengarry rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Glengarry

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Glengarry

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Glengarry Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Glengarry include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Glengarry for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.