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 now have to make sure their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are 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

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Judgeford rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Judgeford

Rental properties in Judgeford must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Judgeford

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Judgeford

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Judgeford include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.