Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

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 now have to ensure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on 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 dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Trentham

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Trentham

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.