Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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 contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard 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 better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.