Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed 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 are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Flaxmere rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Flaxmere rental properties.

Start now and call about the Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Flaxmere

Flaxmere rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Flaxmere

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Flaxmere

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have 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 can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent 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 Flaxmere

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Flaxmere include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.