Healthy Homes Assessment Roys Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Roys Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection 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?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Roys Hill, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Roys Hill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Roys Hill rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Roys Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roys Hill

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Roys Hill

Rental properties in Roys Hill should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Roys Hill

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Roys Hill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 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.

Roys Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Roys Hill

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Roys Hill include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roys Hill for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.