Healthy Homes Assessment Camborne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Camborne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 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. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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 Camborne, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Camborne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Camborne

Camborne rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended 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 remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Camborne

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Camborne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Camborne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when 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 present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Camborne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camborne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.