Healthy Homes Assessment Frimley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Frimley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Frimley, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Frimley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during 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 heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frimley

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Frimley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Frimley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.