Healthy Homes Assessment Anderson Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Anderson Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Anderson Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Anderson Park, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Anderson Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Anderson Park rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Anderson Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Anderson Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Anderson Park

Anderson Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Anderson Park

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Anderson Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Anderson Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Anderson Park

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Anderson Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Anderson Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.