Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

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? Landlords must ensure that their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance 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 and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Johnsonville rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Johnsonville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Johnsonville

Rental properties in Johnsonville need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Johnsonville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the 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 that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Johnsonville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.