Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Fairfield 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of 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 from New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our 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.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.