Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Belmont 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 covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Belmont rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Belmont rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Belmont

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Belmont

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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