Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Trentham 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Trentham rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely 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 let air in or out of your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature 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), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus 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 and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

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

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.