Healthy Homes Assessment Roys Hill

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 are now required to ensure their Roys Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Roys Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to 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 isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Roys Hill, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Roys Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Roys Hill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Roys Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Roys Hill

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Roys Hill

Rental properties in Roys Hill need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Roys Hill

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Roys Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Roys Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Roys Hill

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Roys Hill for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.