Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $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 wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed 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 small 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 source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.