Healthy Homes Assessment Parkvale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Parkvale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Parkvale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Parkvale, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Parkvale rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Parkvale rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Parkvale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Parkvale

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Parkvale

Parkvale rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Parkvale

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Parkvale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that 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 will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater 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 rest part 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Parkvale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Parkvale

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Parkvale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Parkvale for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.