Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Fernhill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed on a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Fernhill, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Fernhill rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Fernhill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Fernhill

Fernhill rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fernhill

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Fernhill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fernhill

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Fernhill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.