Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Broadmeadows, 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 standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Broadmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Broadmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

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

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

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

Heating Broadmeadows

Rental properties in Broadmeadows should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Broadmeadows

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

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

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

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

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.