Healthy Homes Assessment Roys Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Roys Hill, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Roys Hill rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Roys Hill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roys Hill

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as 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 the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Roys Hill

Rental properties in Roys Hill should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Roys Hill

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Roys Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Roys Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Roys Hill include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roys Hill for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.