Healthy Homes Assessment Camborne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Camborne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate 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 being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Camborne, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Camborne rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in 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 low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Camborne

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check 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 such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Camborne

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Camborne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Camborne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Camborne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camborne for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.