Healthy Homes Assessment Camborne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Camborne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Camborne, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Camborne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Camborne rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Camborne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camborne

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Camborne

Camborne rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Camborne

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Camborne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Camborne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Camborne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Camborne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camborne for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.