Healthy Homes Assessment ?t?ne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their ?t?ne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a ?t?ne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a ?t?ne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and ?t?ne, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of ?t?ne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within ?t?ne rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the ?t?ne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping ?t?ne

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating ?t?ne

Rental properties in ?t?ne must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation ?t?ne

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation ?t?ne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. 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 help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

?t?ne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 ?t?ne

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in ?t?ne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments ?t?ne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• 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 repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.