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 are now required to make sure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Trentham, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Trentham rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Trentham rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable 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 has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.