Healthy Homes Assessment Thorndon

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 now have to ensure their Thorndon rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Thorndon rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the 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 Thorndon, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Thorndon rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Thorndon rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Thorndon

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Thorndon

Rental properties in Thorndon require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Thorndon

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Thorndon

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Thorndon Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Thorndon

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Thorndon include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Thorndon for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.