Healthy Homes Assessment Longlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Longlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Longlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Longlands, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Longlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Longlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Longlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Longlands

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Longlands

Rental properties in Longlands should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Longlands

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Longlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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

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

Longlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Longlands

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Longlands include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Longlands for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.