Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

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 are now required to ensure that their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Greenmeadows rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Greenmeadows rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Greenmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Greenmeadows include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.