Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can 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 your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Flaxmere rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Flaxmere rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Flaxmere

Flaxmere rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Flaxmere

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Flaxmere

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Flaxmere

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Flaxmere include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.