Healthy Homes Assessment Omahu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Omahu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Omahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Omahu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Omahu, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Omahu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Omahu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Omahu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Omahu

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Omahu

Omahu rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Omahu

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Omahu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand 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 part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Omahu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Omahu

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Omahu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Omahu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.