Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

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 must make sure their Fernhill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $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 information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Fernhill, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Fernhill rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Fernhill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Fernhill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Fernhill

Fernhill rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. 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" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fernhill

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require 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 ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Fernhill

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the household to retain the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Fernhill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Fernhill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.