Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must 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 must 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could 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 are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is 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 rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.