Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Longlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Longlands, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Longlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Longlands rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Longlands

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Longlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure 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 part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Longlands

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Longlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.