Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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 assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of 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 for Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.