Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

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 ensure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the 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 is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Trentham, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Trentham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Trentham rental properties.

Start now and call about the Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient 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 to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Trentham

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham 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 also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.