Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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 contract is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Greenmeadows rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Greenmeadows rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable 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 a healthy house

Insulation Greenmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor 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 sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Greenmeadows include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.