Healthy Homes Assessment Camborne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Camborne 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could 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 home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or 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 must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Camborne, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Camborne rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Camborne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camborne

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Camborne

Camborne rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Camborne

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Camborne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Camborne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Camborne

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camborne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.