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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Frimley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Frimley, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Frimley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Frimley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Frimley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, 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 could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frimley

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Frimley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Frimley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.