Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Greenmeadows 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it is 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 which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Greenmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Greenmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require 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 in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Greenmeadows

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the house to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Greenmeadows

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Greenmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.