Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Trentham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Trentham rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists 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 of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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 home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.