Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer the 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 breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Greenmeadows rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Greenmeadows rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Greenmeadows

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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 Greenmeadows

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Greenmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.