Healthy Homes Assessment Roys Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Roys Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Roys Hill, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Roys Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Roys Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roys Hill

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Roys Hill

Roys Hill rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 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 check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Roys Hill

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Roys Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Roys Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space 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 generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roys Hill

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Roys Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roys Hill for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.