Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality 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 illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Judgeford rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Judgeford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Judgeford

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Judgeford

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Judgeford include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.