Healthy Homes Assessment Frimley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Frimley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for each of 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 for a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Frimley, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Frimley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Frimley rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Frimley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in 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 well-being homes

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frimley

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Frimley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Frimley

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Frimley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.