Healthy Homes Assessment Lochain

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Lochain 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lochain rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Lochain, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Lochain rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Lochain rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Lochain Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lochain

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Lochain

Rental properties in Lochain require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lochain

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Lochain

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current 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 well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the 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, underfloor 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.

Lochain Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lochain

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Lochain include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lochain for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.