Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Judgeford 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 covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Judgeford, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Judgeford rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Judgeford rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Judgeford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is 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) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Judgeford

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Judgeford

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.