Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

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 for a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Frasertown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Frasertown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Frasertown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Frasertown

Rental properties in Frasertown need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, 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, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Frasertown

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Frasertown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Frasertown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.